Lawmakers of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, took a protest walkout of the Abia State House of Assembly plenary, Tuesday, refusing to join the rest of their colleagues and stating that they are the Majority Party in the 8th Assembly.
The drama played out following an observation made by the member representing, Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, who noticed that the page two of their last proceedings given to them, indicated that the house had constituted ranking officers of the 8th Assembly with the Labour Party, LP, as the majority party.
Hon. Adiele, with the support of the member representing Obingwa East State Constituency, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu, and other PDP lawmakers, vehemently opposed the content of the proceedings, arguing that they remain the majority party and that the majority leadership positions legitimately belong to them.
They faced serious counter opposition by their Labour Party colleagues with the Speaker, overruling them and affirmed that the majority leadership as constituted in the last plenary were sacred and unchangeable, hence the PDP members exited the chambers forthwith.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after they exited the chambers, Hon. Solomon Akpulonu, disclosed that they will be heading to court for justice to have its full course, while Hon. Adiele insists that the right thing must be done for peace to prevail.
Recall that, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, during the last plenary, announced, Hon. Uchenna Okoro Kalu, (LP, Arochukwu State Constituency) as the Majority Leader, of the House, Hon. Destiny Nwagwu, (LP, Aba North) as the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon.Emeka Obioma, (LP, Umuahia South), as the Majority Chiefwhip, and Hon. Iheonunekwu Nwogu, (YPP, Osisioma North) as the Deputy majority Chiefwhip.
In another development, the Abia State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed 16 commissioner nominees out of 19 nominees, the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti sent to them for screening.
The nominees are, Prof. Monica Ironkwe, Kingsely Anosike, Prof. Eme Uche Eme, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, Ngozi Okoronkwo, Prince Okey Kanu, Ikechukwu Uwanna, Chaka Chukwumereije, Uzo Nwachukwu, and Prof. Joel Friday Ogbonna.
Others are, Chima Emmanuel Oriaku, Nwaobilor Nwadinma Ananaba, Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, Engr. Don Otumchere Oti Comrade Sunny Okebugwu Onwuma and Matthew Chikodi Ekwuribe.
The Chairman of the Screening Adhoc Committee and member representing Umuahia Central State Constituency, Hon.Chinasa Anthony, expressed confidence that the nominees would perform well adding that they are thorough breed in their respective fields.
Therefore, the Speaker, Rt.Hon. Emeruwa, charged them to bring their wealth of experiences to bear in assisting the Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, in delivering quality democracy dividends to Abians.
Yet to be screened and confirmed are Mr. Mike Akpara, Mrs. Blessing Felix and Engr. Ikechukwu Monday.
